You may not agree with what I have to say, but I will defend to the death my right to say it.

Sunday, March 03, 2002

I liked Indian Express's coverage of the Gujarat violence. Not for the depth and breadth of its reportage. But simply because it scruplously avoided naming communities in its reports -- not even euphemistically.

That's the way it should be.

A mob is a mob. It knows no religion. Just the frenzy of the moment. Many of them are just lumpen and criminal elements out to loot and relieve their frustrations by inflicting outrage on helpless people. The media shouldn't tar any community for the actions of a few: be it the people who burnt down the Sabarmati Express or the mobs that ravished Gujarat.

When we report on crime, the denomination of the perpetrator hardly matters. And the violence in Gujarat is nothing but a crime waged against innocent people and the state itself.

If it has anything to do with religion, I guess we all will have to disown our faiths.